Well ahead, Nelson spreads wealth for party

ELECTION 2006: SENATE RACE

October 18, 2006|By April Hunt, Sentinel Staff Writer

With his war chest brimming with cash, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson has become something of a sugar daddy for Democrats.

The Orlando incumbent just gave $250,000 to the state Democratic Party. He also asked contributors to his re-election bid to donate to three key congressional races in Florida. That request has raised $30,000 since Nelson sent the e-mail last Thursday.

Nelson downplayed his role as party banker, noting he continues to have fundraisers such as a cocktail reception in Orlando on Tuesday with a suggested minimum donation of $250.

"I assume nothing," Nelson said.

Still, as recent campaign-finance reports show, he has about $6.8 million on hand to fund the final three weeks of the race. U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, his Republican rival, had about $964,000 as of the Sept. 30 filing date.

Christine Jennings is among the candidates benefiting from Nelson's money-raising efforts.

The former bank president is running against Vern Buchanan, a longtime GOP fundraiser, for Harris' open seat in the Sarasota area. The political Web site CQPolitics lists the contest among the state's more competitive House races.

"He can not only get re-elected, but he can help other Democrats get into office," said Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida. "This solidifies him as the enthusiastic face of the Democratic Party in Florida."

In fact, Nelson is the only Democrat elected to statewide office in Florida. With Republicans on the defensive, and his own campaign on solid footing, he is the main person to help make other races competitive.

Nelson's donation to the state party will help with voter-turnout efforts, which could boost him as well as Jim Davis, Skip Campbell and Alex Sink, running for governor, attorney general and chief financial officer, respectively.

But most eyes are on the House races. Nelson's e-mail is sending money to Charlie Stuart, who is running against incumbent Ric Keller in Orlando.

It also raised money for Ron Klein, who is seeking to unseat incumbent E. Clay Shaw Jr. in the district next to the one that had been represented by U.S. Rep. Mark Foley until he resigned in scandal last month.

The Klein-Shaw race is a tossup, according to CQPolitics. The Web site favors Keller in his re-election but notes that Stuart has managed to almost keep pace with the Republican on fundraising.

In those races, Nelson's e-mail offers more than money, said Adrienne Elrod, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"Senator Nelson enjoys support from both Democrats and Republicans," she said. "To have him helps our candidates bring in moderate swing voters."

Despite the recent outlay of cash, Nelson said he most likely won't be giving out much more.

"I need to still raise money to get the television we need up on the air," Nelson said. "Running for office in a large state . . . isn't easy."

Jewett understands the strategy. Statewide TV ads run about $2 million a week, meaning Nelson has just about enough money to finish the campaign.

And Harris, who put $3.1 million of her own money into her campaign, could always decide to inject more of her own wealth into the race, Jewett added.

"There has to be the thought that she could always drop another million or two and that might be why he wants the margin of safety," Jewett said. "So instead, he is elevating his visibility around the state. He's as comfortable and confident as any candidate could be."